For Ashley

This is for my friend, Ashley, as she begins what's sure to be a great adventure living in Wales


On the street, in the rain, a moment.
A reflection in the glass.
Form. Female. Distinct.
Familiar eyes shine back through the droplets
clinging to the surface of the window.

Not quite that girl,
who earlier, in some other time,
said the words, followed the script.

But not quite different either.

Refreshed, I suppose, or renewed
or, for the melodramatic amongst us, reborn.

Not by metaphor. No.
Not by words.
Nor by faith of friends.
Nor by gods nor hope nor fate.
And not by love alone.

No, this woman lives in the world.
Change builds upon action.
Action builds upon courage.
Courage builds upon...?

There was help, sure.
Kindness given of love.
And, in love, received.

Necessary. Powerful. Insufficient.

One step.
Then another,
Then the next and the next.
And she’s rounded the world.
Knowing that what got her here
Is still with her, for it is in her,
And it is her.